FCC Ship Radar Endorsement

Not always. The FCC states that a commercial operator license is not needed for ship radar stations if the radar frequency is determined by a nontunable, pulse type magnetron or other fixed tune device and the radar is capable of being operated exclusively by external controls. If your installation does not meet both conditions, check with the FCC and a COLEM.

Yes, that is the core of it. The FCC program page requires a commercial operator license to repair and maintain all ship radio and radar stations. It also covers all coast stations, hand-carried units used to communicate with ships and coast stations on marine frequencies, and aircraft and aeronautical ground stations.

The FCC does not give the exam itself. To obtain a new or upgraded commercial operator license you must pass an examination administered by one of the Commercial Operator License Examination Managers, known as COLEMs. Contact a COLEM for scheduling, testing locations, current fees and the specific elements required for your endorsement.

That detail is not published on the FCC program page used here, and element structure, question counts and time limits are set through the COLEM examination process. Because these specifics change, confirm the current format, number of questions and allotted time directly with an approved COLEM before you schedule.

The FCC page does not state a passing score or a retake policy for this endorsement. Both are administered through the COLEM system. Ask your chosen COLEM about the passing threshold, any waiting period between attempts, and whether a failed element can be retaken separately from the others.

Start with 47 C.F.R. Part 13 licensing rules, since they frame every other topic. Then study radar fundamentals such as propagation, pulse characteristics, range resolution and accuracy, followed by transmitter and receiver circuitry including magnetrons and fixed-tune devices, antenna, waveguide and display subsystems, and finally operation, maintenance, interference, safety and troubleshooting.

The FCC page describes a rule change effective March 25, 2008 that extended the term of certain commercial operator licenses to the lifetime of the holder. It names GMDSS licenses, GMDSS maintainer licenses and Marine Radio Operator Permits in that discussion. Confirm the term that applies to your specific license with the FCC.

Possibly. An applicant who has filed with the FCC and holds a Proof of Passing Certificate showing the necessary exams were passed within the previous 365 days may exercise the applied-for privileges before the FCC acts, but only for 90 days from the filing date, and only if no license was revoked or suspended and no suspension proceeding is ongoing.

File FCC Forms 159 and 605 electronically through the Universal Licensing System, with a fee. If you renew before expiration you may keep operating during processing. If you let it lapse, you cannot operate or maintain equipment requiring the license until it is renewed, and you may renew during the five-year grace period. After that you must reapply and retake the exams.

Two stand out. First, assuming the endorsement is needed for every ship radar, when the FCC exempts fixed-tune, externally controlled installations from the operator license requirement while still requiring a license to repair and maintain all ship radar. Second, confusing operator privileges with station authorization: a commercial license does not authorize you to transmit.